alans613 – The State never had a balcony. It still has the original long, narrow projection booth with the original projectors and the old levers and pulls that used to control the lights.

The Mexican-themed club lasted only a few weeks in 2008. Before and after that unfortunate event, we had several film screenings, and Springfield StageWorks has been doing shows there since 2005. Now our entire theatre season takes place there.

Also to note: Yes, in fact the Chakeres Theatres home office WAS in the balcony until the State closed down. It’s now located inside the Lobby Shoppes about two miles away from the State. Following its closure, the State was occupied by “Arms of Love Bingo” for many years. It then sat vacant and was briefly a Mexican-themed nightclub in the Summer of 2008 when a fatal shooting took place in the basement, after which the nightclub shut down. Sometime in 2009 the building was taken over by Springfield Stage Works, which runs productions inside the building from time to time.

Some stats for the State Theatre/Cinema:
Final movie shown as a first run theatre in August, 1990 was “Darkman” starring Liam Neeson. That same month the State was “Closed For Remodeling” and reopened in early September, 1990 with a new policy-that they would show only second-run movies for $1.50 always. Not sure what the first movie shown under the new policy was. Some movies that were shown during this time included: “Problem Child”, “Narrow Margin”, “Taking Care of Business”, and “Pretty Woman”. The final movie shown at the State was “Jacob’s Ladder” starring Tim Robbins, which closed down the State following its 9:45 PM showing on December 3, 1990.

Springfield StageWorks presents THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES by Eve Ensler at the State Theatre.

Three performances only – Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 11th, 12th and 13th 2010.

8:00pm

Tickets -
$10.00 at the door

This production is directed by Liz Dillard and is being presented in association with Project Woman of Springfield and VDAY, the global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of Playwright/Founder Eve Enslerâ€™s award winning play.

Next, the State will be holding a film tribute to the 40th Anniversary of the 1st lunar landing, then a production of Sweeney Todd in October, and the annual screening of NOSFERATU again near Halloween.

Accoring to Marquee Vol. 20:2 (put out by the Theatre Organ Society), Charles Dawley designed the theater based on a design by John Eberson. As of 1988, the theatre was still owned by the Chakeres chain.

SRCputt, the Regent is actually in far worse shape than the State, what with years of water damage, but there is some gradual repair work happening now. At least the State is in good enough shape to be legally open to the public. Looking forward to presenting Caligari in March and Murnau’s Faust later in 2008!

That story seems accurate to me. I was one of the people who attended Nosferatu, and 125 is what I had estimated for the crowd. I would not count this theater as open, as there have been no events since then. When the theater was a bingo hall, all of the seats were ripped out, and flat wood floors over the slight slope of the old floor (at Nosferatu, the audience sat on card table chairs). The walls remain the same, though in disrepair. And I toured the upstairs, so I can vouch that there is still a projector, though video projection was used for Nosferatu. Also, as mentioned in other posts, the organ is long gone. To truly renovate the place would be expensive, and I suspect the other closed downtown theater (Regent) is in better shape. The screen looked fantastic, though. I will be there for Caligari and any other silent films they choose to show.

Glad to hear the State is still used. I inspected what was left of the Wurlitzer around 1990 or 91. All that was left then was the console and a few chests. Most of the pipework and other parts were already gone to points unknown—perhaps “midnight organ supply”.

Theatre was interesting architecturally. Seems there was another theatre downtown beside the State, if my memory serves me correctly.

I was one of the organists at the State Theater in the late 1970’s until the theater’s closing in 1990. I still reside in Springfield. The bingo hall which resided in the theater has since been closed, and there is local interest and activity around alternative uses for the space. Much of the original decor is still intact, but much is in need of repair and cleaning. I am interested in learning what happened to the 3/7 Wurlitzer organ that was original to the theater, but disappeared when the theater was closed in 1990.

I am trying to verify the information given here that connects John Eberson with the design of Springfield’s State Theatre. If someone could let me know where this information came from it woul be greatly apprecaited. I am currently working with a foundation trying to save the State, so any help would be greatly apprecaited!

The best feature of the State was a built-in pipe organ. I remember in the 1980s frequently there would be a 15 minute organ concert before the feature on Friday and Staurday nights. One show I saw, the organist invited us to sing along to the last song and then launched into the Mickey Mouse Club theme song.